Dr. Waldron obtained the degrees of Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering Science from the University of Sydney (Australia). He received his PhD from Stanford University in 1969. He was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Engineering by the University of Sydney
in 1999. After a period with Australian Iron and Steel Pty. Ltd. He has held teaching appointments at Stanford, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Houston, before joining The Ohio State University in 1979. He served as department chairman from April 1st, 1993 to June 30th, 2000. He joined Stanford University on September 1st, 2000. He became Professor (Research) Emeritus of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University in 2011. He holds a half-time appointment at the University of Technology, Sydney effective July 2007.
Dr. Waldron’s research interests include machine design in general, and particularly geometric, mechanical and software design of robots and computer coordinated mechanical systems. He has a particular interest in locomotory biomechanics and in the design of computer coordinated vehicles and robotic systems for use in unstructured environments. Dr. Waldron is a Fellow of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a Senior Member of IEEE. He was Technical Leader of the ASME Systems and Design Group and was President of IFToMM the International Federation for Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science from 2000 to 2007. He received the ASME Leonardo da Vinci Award in March 1988, the Mechanisms Award in 1990, the Machine Design Award in 1994, the Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Design Educator Award in 2002 and the Dedicated Service Award in 2004. He was a speaker in the ASME Distinguished Lecturers Program from 1996 to 1999. He also received the Joseph F. Engelberger Award of the Robotic Industries Association in 1997.

Fangyi Zhang (Queensland University of
Technology), Jürgen Leitner (Queensland University of Technology), Michael Milford (Queensland University of Technology), Peter Corke (Queensland University of Technology)

Seung Ho Lee( The University of Auckland), Kijong Han (The University of Auckland), Min Ho Lee (The
University of Auckland), Lukas Vogel (Augsburg University), Jong Yoon Lim (The University of Auckland), Bruce A. MacDonald (The University of Auckland), Ho Seok Ahn (The University of Auckland)

Sean McMahon (Queensland University of Technology), Tong Shen (The University of Adelaide), Niko Sünderhauf (Queensland
University of Technology), Ian Reid (The
University of Adelaide), Chunhua Shen (The University of Adelaide), Michael Milford (Queensland University of
Technology)

Julie Stephany Berrio Perez (The University of
Sydney), James Robert Ward (The University of
Sydney), Stewart Worrall (The University of Sydney), Wei
Zhou (The University of Sydney), Eduardo Nebot (The
University of Sydney)

Session 10: A National Roadmap for Robotics and Computer Vision in AustraliaOrganizer: Dr Sue Keay, COO, Australian Centre for Robotic Vision

Abstract:

Robotic Vision, the application of computer vision to robotics, enables robotic technologies to add value to industries that require automation in complex physical environments. The development of robotic vision technologies will lead to the creation of new companies, new jobs and will address a range of issues of national importance including a aging population, servicing remote communities, and dealing with labour shortages.

A Robotics and Computer Vision Roadmap for Australia is needed to demonstrate existing capability and future possibilities of these disruptive technologies. Little is known about the robotics and computer vision industries in Australia today and yet they will support the use of robotics across a range of sectors including; manufacturing, services, healthcare, resources, the natural and built environments, and defence.

The Australian Centre for Robotic Vision is developing Australia’s first robotics and computer vision roadmap. The Centre has received in-depth advice on how to construct a nationally recognised roadmap fro Prof. Henrik Christensen, the author of the European and US robotics roadmaps. The 2013 version of the US robotics roadmap gained the attention of congress and President Barack Obama and, eventually, led to concentrated investment in robotics research in the US. Our goals for Australia are similar but also include computer vision and will tackle
the question of defining Australia’s capability in the space as well as future research directions.

We have an ambitious timeline to complete the roadmap for it to be launched in May 2018 in Brisbane, Australia, during the International Conference for Robotics and Automation (ICRA2018), the first time the
conference has been held in the southern hemisphere and a time when the spotlight will be on Australia’s robotics and computer vision communities. We are keen to represent diverse views in the roadmap and invite people to attend the workshop to contribute their ideas.

Accommodation

Metro Aspire Hotel (~500 meters from UTS)Location: 383-389 Bulwara Rd, Ultimo NSW 2007Website: https://metrohotels.com.au/hotels/metro-aspire-hotel-sydney/Phone: (02) 9211-1499Booking: the attendees can book through website using the promo code: UTS123 – 15% discount from best available rate.Rates: ~220 for single or double rooms.

Novotel Sydney Central (~500 meters from UTS)Location: 79 Thomas St, Sydney NSW 2000Website: https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-8781-novotel-sydney-central/index.shtmlPhone: (02) 9281-6888Booking: book through hotel to receive 10% off our best available rate at time of call 30 days out from arrival, after this any booking that come through from November 11th 2017 the rate on offer will revert to our best available rate.Rates: ~230 for single or double rooms with Breakfast included.

Student Travel Awards

This year ARAA will award two “Student Travel Awards” worth $500 + free student registration ($350) to participants in ACRA. Undergraduate and postgraduate students are welcome to apply. Application is by sending an email to the ARAA treasurer, with subject line: “Application for ACRA 2017 Student Travel Grant”.

State in the email:
· Your name
· Institution and current study program
· The paper ID that you authored (if applicable)
· Brief description of your research / interest in Robotics
· Please include a letter of support from an academic supervisor.
Applications will be open from the date of notification of paper acceptance until the date of submission of camera-ready papers. Notification of successful travel awards will be made by 20 November 2017.